Powered tactical rail (aka picatinny rail) system and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A tactical rail incorporating integral conductive elements positioned in rail channels or grooves wherein the conductive elements are powered by a single battery. Accessory mounts incorporate conductive elements positioned to contact the conductive elements in the rail grooves thus receiving electric current from the conductive elements and delivering the same to the connected accessories. A rubber O-ring strip or gasket may be removably positioned over the conductive elements positioned in the rail grooves thereby preventing the system from shorting out and protecting the conductive elements from external conditions, including moisture. When needed, portions of the O-ring strip may be cut-away to accommodate the conductive elements of one or more accessory mounts.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to Patent Application No. 61/805,630 filed Mar. 27, 2013 which is incorporated herein for any all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a tactical rail incorporating means for powering accessories (e.g., flashlight) mounted thereto.

BACKGROUND

A tactical rail comprises a series of ridges with a T-shaped cross-section interspersed with flat “spacing slots.” Accessories are mounted either by sliding them on from one end or the other; by means of a Weaver mount, for example, which is clamped to the rail with bolts, thumbscrews or levers; or onto the slots between the raised sections. Other connections means are possible.

The tactical rail was originally used for scopes. However, once established, the use of the rail was expanded to other accessories, such as tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrips, bipods, and bayonets. Because rails were originally designed and used for telescopic sights, the rails were first used only on the receivers of larger caliber rifles. But their use has extended to the point that tactical or Picatinny rails and accessories have replaced iron sights in the design of many firearms, and they are also incorporated into the undersides of semi-automatic pistol frames and even on grips.

Normally the accessories attached to the tactical rail are powered via battery packs connected or integral thereto. For example, a lithium battery may be contained within a battery-housing integral with, or internal to, the accessory.

It would be useful to eliminate the need for the integral or internal accessory battery packs and provide power directly to the accessories via a power source integral with, or internal to, the tactical rail and/or weapon.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a tactical rail incorporating integral conductive elements positioned in rail channels or grooves wherein the conductive elements are powered by a single battery. Accessory mounts incorporate conductive elements positioned to contact the conductive elements in the rail grooves thus receiving electric current from the conductive elements and delivering the same to the connected accessories.

In one embodiment, a rubber O-ring strip or gasket is removably positioned over the conductive elements positioned in the rail grooves thereby preventing the system from shorting out and protecting the conductive elements from external conditions, including moisture. When needed, portions of the O-ring strip may be cut-away to accommodate the conductive elements of one or more accessory mounts.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional tactical rail according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional tactical rail attached to a gun according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional tactical rail attached to gun with two accessories mounted thereto according to the prior art;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a tactical rail with four accessories mounted thereon according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of a tactical rail according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an accessory mount according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed view of a connection point between a tactical rail and accessory mount according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an end view of a tactical rail with a single power lead connecting four conductive elements integrated on a tactical rail according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a detailed view of one of the tactical rails with an accessory mount attached thereto according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of BLE control buttons on a weapon according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to those skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

The components of the embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated of any suitable materials, including plastics, alloys, composites, resins and metals, and may be fabricated using suitable techniques, including molding, casting, machining and rapid prototyping. In one embodiment, the tactical rail of the present invention is fabricated of modified Acrylic PVC Alloy Thermoplastic with high impact abrasion resistant qualities. One benefit of the tactical rail of the present invention is the elimination of the individual batteries for accessories. More specifically, it can be difficult for an operator in the field of battle to change the battery in, for example, his tactical flash light. The operator has to struggle or fumble for the small battery in difficult conditions. Conventionally, the operator must screw off the cap of the flashlight; install the new battery; and replace the cap all while wearing tactical gloves. With the quick bayonet mount or cam lock mount disclosed herein, the operator simply slips in a new battery module. The battery modules may be stored in special slots in a tactual vest or belt.

A conventional tactical rail 100 is shown in FIG. 1. A conventional tactical rail 100 comprises a series of ridges 105 with a T-shaped cross-section interspersed with flat spacing slots 110. Accessories are mounted either by sliding them on from one end or the other; by means of a Weaver mount, for example, which is clamped to the rail with bolts, thumbscrews or levers; or onto the slots between the raised sections. FIG. 2 shows a conventional tactical rail 100 attached to a firearm 120. FIG. 3 shows a conventional quad tactical rail 101 with accessories 125, 130 attached thereto. The accessories 125, 130 are typically powered by self-contained batteries.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of a tactical rail 150-1 through 150-4 (shown as a quad rail) with four accessory mounts 155-1 through 155-4 installed according to the embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the accessory mounts 155-1 through 155-4 are fabricated of thermal plastic. The accessory mounts 155-1 through 155-4 may receive tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, optics, reflex sights, foregrips, bipods, bayonets and others. While non-powered accessories may be mounted to the tactical rail 150 described herein, to directly benefit from the embodiments of the present invention, the accessories 155-1 through 155-4 should be powered by direct current (DC) or other power source.

Each of the accessory mounts 155-1 through 155-4 is configured with integral conductive elements comprising a positive contact 160 and ground/negative contact 165. In one embodiment, the positive contact 160 is incorporated within the fixed side of the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4 and the ground is on the adjustable tab side of the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4.

The positive contact 160 is positioned on the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4 to contact a conductive element 175 integral with the tactical rail 150. FIGS. 5-7 show the conductive element 175 integral with the tactical rail 150. In one embodiment, the conductive element 175 is a flat piece of non-corrosive metal secured in, and running along all or a portion of the length of a groove 176 of the tactical rail 150. By being inset into the groove 176, the conductive element 175 is less likely to be contacted inadvertently thereby eliminating or reducing occurrences of shorting out the system. The negative contact 165 is positioned on the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4 to contact a conductive element 185 along an oppositely positioned groove 186 in the tactical rail 150. The DC circuit is thus completed when the accessory amount 155-1 through 155-4 is snapped onto the rail 150 thereby allowing power from an external battery, internal battery or both to power an accessory attached to the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4.

FIG. 8 shows a quad rail 155-1 through 155-4 with accessory mounts 155-1 and 155-3 attached. FIGS. 9-10 show detailed views of the accessory mount 155-4 attached to the tactical rail 150-1 and in contact with the leads 175, 185.

In one embodiment, the battery may be integrated into a weapon (e.g., butt stock or grip) or attached thereto with a DC contact between the tactical rail 150 and the firearm. Leads or wires 156 within the accessory mounts 155-1 through 155-4 carry electrical current to power the accessories which incorporate lead contacts 158 on an outer surface thereof to contact the leads 156 when installed into the mount so as to receive the electrical current from the leads 156 for powering the accessories. In other embodiments, the accessories may snap into the mounts locking the leads 156 and lead contacts 158 thereby forming a secure electrical contact. The battery or batteries may be located in the fore grip and stock or elsewhere in the forearm or weapon. Besides batteries, small fuel cells (running on Butane, or water and hydrogen for example) and solar cells can be used to provide power to the rail.

The removal of the batteries integral with the accessories reduces the size and weight of the accessories by 50% or more. The reduction in the form factor allows multiple accessories to be combined into a single device. For example, a combination video camera, laser and flashlight accessory may take on the same form factor as a single accessory with a conventional integrated battery.

While the embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need for local batteries for the accessories, in one embodiment, small button batteries may be incorporated in the accessories to power the accessory in the event the system described herein fails. Moreover, the small button batteries may allow the accessories to be powered while the primary external or internal battery is replaced when needed.

In one embodiment, a bayonet connection or mount is used to attach the accessory to the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4. This type of connection provides a reliable connection between the accessory and the accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4 for maintaining the accessory in a secure position and connecting contacts of the accessory to the leads or wires through which electric current travels from the rail 150 to the accessory mounts 155-1 through 155-4.

In one embodiment, a piece of rubber gasket utilizing O-ring material is installed in the groove 176 to protect the conductive element 175. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any type of material (preferably waterproof) may be used including rubbers, plastics, composites, polymers and mixtures of the same. The gasket also prevents water from contacting the conductive element 175. When attaching an accessory mount 155-1 through 155-4 to the rail 150, portions of the gasket may be removed (i.e., cut-away) such that positive contact 160 may contact conductive element 175. Ideally, the cut-away portion of the gasket should be limited to maintain the waterproof nature of the tactical rail 150 after attachment of the mount. Non-powered accessory mounts may be attached with the gasket in place.

Control of the accessories may be provided via a wireless system separate from the tactical rail 150. In one embodiment, wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used. As shown in FIG. 11, BLE control buttons 200-1 through 200-N may be placed at any convenient and efficient location on the firearm 202 using adhesives or other fastening means. In one embodiment, the BLE buttons 200-1 through 200-N are incorporated into the components of the weapon, like a pistol grip, rail or foregrip. The BLE buttons 200-1 through 200-N can be simple momentary buttons or complex units with joystick functionality. Because of the low energy consumption, the BLE buttons 200-1 through 200-N can function for up to one year without changing the small battery. In this embodiment, each of the rail-mounted accessories 205-1 through 205-N incorporates a BLE microprocessor/transceiver 210-1 through 210-N capable of sending and receiving wireless signals from the BEE control buttons 200-1 through 200-N in a paired, point-to-point arrangement. The BLE signals 215-1 through 215-N may he encrypted as well.

The BLE control buttons 200-1 through 200-N and the BLE accessory 205-1 through 205-N on the rail-mounted device are programmable. For example, a flashlight accessory may be programmed to turn on a high beam responsive to a short touch of the corresponding momentary control button; to turn on a low beam responsive to a second short touch; to strobe responsive to a long touch of the control button; and to flash an SOS signal responsive to a second long touch, Zoom and other camera functions may be controlled by a BLE joystick. Smart portable devices like iPhone and Android devices may also be mounted and powered by the tactical rail (new versions of smart devices come with integrated BLE functionality). The BLE equipped, mounted accessories 205-1 through 205-N may send information to the smart portable devices such as battery condition, state information and may transmit audio and video signals with other network standards (e.g., Wi-Fi). The smart portable devices may also be used to control complex functions on a video camera and make ballistic calculations in conjunction with the mounted optical aiming device. Those skilled in the art will recognize that wireless technologies may be used in place of BEE to control the devices mounted and powered tactical rail system.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A system comprising: a tactical rail configured to attach to a firearm and receive one or more accessory mounts, said tactical rail including conductive elements positioned within one or more grooves running along a length of said tactical rail; one or more accessory mounts configured to retain and secure electrical accessories for use with said firearm, said accessory mounts including electrical contacts positioned to communicate with said conductive elements within said one or more grooves when attached to said tactical rail; and one or more power sources integrated into said firearm and attached to said conductive elements, said one or more power sources configured to provide electrical power to said conductive elements for transmission to said one or more accessory mounts to power said retained and secured accessory.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said conductive elements are flat metal members retained by spaced slots running along a top and bottom of said channels.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said power sources are selected from batteries, fuel cells and solar cells.
 4. A system comprising: a tactical rail configured to attach to a firearm and receive one or more accessory mounts, said tactical rail including conductive elements positioned within one or more grooves running along a length of said tactical rail; one or more gaskets positioned within said one or more grooves; one or more accessory mounts configured to retain and secure electrical accessories for use with said firearm, said accessory mounts including electrical contacts positioned to communicate with said conductive elements within said one or more grooves when attached to said tactical rail and at least a portion of said one or more gaskets is first removed; and one or more power sources integrated into said firearm and attached to said conductive elements, said one or more power sources configured to provide electrical power to said conductive elements for transmission to said one or more accessory mounts to power said retained and secured accessory.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said conductive elements are flat metal members retained by spaced slots running along a top and bottom of said channels.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein said power sources are selected from batteries, fuel cells and solar cells.
 7. A system comprising: a tactical rail configured to attach to a firearm and receive one or more accessory mounts; one or more accessory mounts configured to retain and secure electrical accessories for use with said firearm; one or more short range wireless button transmitters affixed to said firearm; one or more receivers integrated into one or more accessories for use with said firearm; one or more accessory mounts configured to retain and secure said one or more accessories to said tactical rail; and wherein said one or more wireless button transmitters transmit instructional signals to said one or more receivers thereby controlling actions of said one or more corresponding accessories.
 8. The system of claim 7 further comprising (i) conductive elements positioned within one or more grooves running along a length of said tactical rail; (ii) said accessory mounts including electrical contacts positioned to communicate with said conductive elements within said one or more grooves when attached to said tactical rail; and (iii) one or more power sources integrated into said firearm and attached to said conductive elements, said one or more power sources configured to provide electrical power to said conductive elements for transmission to said one or more accessory mounts to power said retained and secured accessory.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said conductive elements are flat metal members retained by spaced slots running along a top and bottom of said channels.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein said power sources are selected from batteries, fuel cells and solar cells. 